Minn. Senate Democrats Dump Yecke as Education Chief

Cheri Pierson Yecke has lost her job as Minnesota’s education
commissioner.

In a 35-31 vote along party lines, the Democratic-controlled state
Senate rejected Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s choice for
education chief at 3:40 a.m. on May 16. Deputy Commissioner of
Education Chas Anderson immediately became the acting commissioner.

In a telephone interview two days after the vote, Ms. Yecke still
sounded stunned by the decision, as did members of her former staff who
were fielding calls at the state education department last week.

"We are so shocked," Ms. Yecke said. "We had a deal with three
Democrats who pledged to vote for me. We had a pledge from the [Senate
Democratic leader, Dean Elton Johnson] not to take this to the floor
unless they had the votes to confirm."

Sen. Johnson’s office did not return phone calls seeking
comment.

Gov. Pawlenty lashed out at Senate Democrats in a statement issued
the day of the vote for "doing a great disservice to our state."

"By rejecting Commissioner Yecke on a party-line vote," he said,
"they have rejected innovation and accountability for our education
system."

Polarizing Figure

The state constitution places no deadlines on the Senate for
confirming executive appointments, so Ms. Yecke had 15 months on the
job before being fired—time enough to became a polarizing
figure.

Starting at a time when the state was struggling with a $4.5 billion
budget deficit, she worked to bring the state into compliance with the
federal No Child Left Behind law and ushered in a set of new
educational standards. She also released a controversial book about the
failings of U.S. middle schools.

Foes cast Ms. Yecke as an archconservative bent on carrying out the
will of the Bush administration, for which she previously worked, while
supporters said she was easily the most qualified person to ever fill
the state’s top education post. ("Minn. Education Commissioner
Fighting for Confirmation," April 7, 2004.)

From her home in Blaine, Minn., last week, Ms. Yecke hinted that she
doesn’t plan to be out of work long. Immediately before being
tapped for state education chief by Gov. Pawlenty, the 49-year-old was
the U.S. Department of Education’s director of teacher quality
and public school choice, where she focused on the impact of the No
Child Left Behind law.

"I received a very nice call from [U.S. Secretary of Education Rod]
Paige and I’ve had several think tanks contact me already, so
I’m reviewing my options," she said.

Officials in the governor’s office said last week that he had
no immediate plans for replacing Ms. Yecke with another appointee.

Vol. 23, Issue 38, Page 20

Published in Print: May 26, 2004, as Minn. Senate Democrats Dump Yecke as Education Chief

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